James Rivett QC

Called 2004 (Lincoln’s Inn)

Feb 2009 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “C” panel

Dec 2013 – Appointed Consultant Lecturer, Sotheby’s Institute of Art

March 2014 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “B” panel

September 2017 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “A” panel

March 2019 – QC

Recent cases include MJP Media (Upper Tribunal); Forde & McHugh Ltd (Upper Tribunal); Icebreaker 1 LLP (Upper Tribunal); Class IV GLO (Court of Appeal); Huitson & Shiner (Court of Appeal); Trustees of the BT Pension Scheme (First-Tier Tribunal).

Regular contributor of articles to specialist tax journals

Contributor to Potter and Monroe’s Tax Planning with Precedents and Atkins Court Forms (Revenue) (2007 Issue)

Author of the statutory construction and Ramsay chapters of Simon’s Direct Tax Service

James lectures regularly on all aspects of tax

Chancery Bar Association

Revenue Bar Association

VAT Practitioner’s Group

International Fiscal Association

MA (Cantab)(Starred Double First), Clare College, Cambridge

MPhil, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

Postgraduate Diploma in Law, City University, London (Lord Bowen Scholarship and Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn, 11 King’s Walk prize for Public Law, City University)

Bar Vocational Course (Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn)

Tax: Corporate Tax
Ranking: Band 1

Highly regarded tax junior with a broad-based corporate tax practice. He acts with a leader on many significant instructions and also leads his own cases, often appearing against silks. He represents both the Revenue and the taxpayer.
“Very quick-witted.” “Very good with clients.” (2019)

. . . “A great junior. Very commercial, adept at building client relationships and technically sound.” “Helpful, approachable, enthusiastic and intellectually very strong.” (2018)

Highly regarded tax junior with a broad-based corporate tax practice. He acts with a leader on many significant instructions and also leads his own cases, often appearing against silks.”He has been extraordinary in terms of his kindness and patience. He also had a complete understanding of all aspects of the case.” (2017)

Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Band 1

Regarded by sources as a personable and impressive advocate who is in high demand. Rivett has particular expertise in the often arcane world of variation of trust, and he is also an expert in heritage property matters for landed estates.
“We love working with him – he is superb in person and verbally. If you want someone quick and to the point he is amazing; he has a very, very fast brain.” (2019)

. . . “There doesn’t seem to be any aspect of tax that James Rivett hasn’t mastered. One always feels he is very much on your side in trying to find a solution without taking silly risks, but he doesn’t shirk the difficult message.” “He really knows what he is doing. He can translate sophisticated legal issues to the layman.” (2018)

An impressive personal tax junior, he advises HMRC and private client firms on tax issues, including innovative trusts techniques. He represents landed estates on BPR, APR and IHT matters. “I would swear by him. He can master the most arcane areas of tax law and create a road map of how you get from A to B. He is particularly good with non-domicile clients.” “We really appreciate how nimble he is. He takes it all in his stride. He’s really fantastic.” (2017)

Tax: Indirect Tax
Ranking: Band 3

Has a growing indirect tax practice with a particular expertise in VAT, often appearing before the Upper Tribunal. He frequently acts as sole counsel or as a leader in tough cases.
“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very bright and very engaging.” (2019)

. . . “His preparation, legal analysis and court room manner as well as his general client-facing skills are exceptional.” “He is a very persuasive speaker.” (2018)

Has a growing indirect tax practice with a particular expertise in VAT, often appearing before the Upper Tribunal. He attracts high praise from market commentators for his intelligence and litigation skills. “He is very bright.” “He is an excellent litigator.” (2017)

Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts

Ranking: Band 1

Noteworthy junior counsel who acts in contentious financial remedy cases involving complex foreign trusts with accompanying tax issues.
“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very quick-witted, with real charm and agility.” (2019)

Tax: Corporate

Ranking: 2019 Silk

‘He is tenacious and argues his cases convincingly.’ (2020)

‘He has an incisive perspective, a good eye for detail.’ (2019)

‘An incisive barrister, who advances his views in a compelling manner.’ (2018)

Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: 2019 Silk, Tier 1

‘Explains complicated matters very well.’ (2020)

‘He is frighteningly intelligent and extremely well liked by opponents and judges alike.’ (2019)

‘There doesn’t seem to be any aspect of private client tax that he hasn’t mastered.’ (2018)

Tax: Private Client

Ranking: New Silks

James Rivett QC took silk in 2019, and remains a popular choice among private practice solicitors and with the Revenue for tax advisory work and litigation. Fellow counsel says he is “very thorough, very personable, good with clients and an effective advocate.” An instructing solicitor considers Rivett “an absolute star on the tax advisory side, but in such demand these days it would be helpful if he could be cloned.” (2019)

James Rivett is considered a “star at junior level” for his tax practice. He assists clients with advisory and contentious tax matters, including tax issues arising from divorces. An interviewee comments: “We love working with him – he is superb in person and verbally. If you want someone quick and to the point he is amazing; he has a very, very fast brain.” Rivett is also praised as “very bright and very engaging,” and “incredibly cerebral.” (2018)